Callum Styles secured a valuable point for West Bromwich Albion after the team clawed back from a deficit to finish the match level at 1-1 against Queens Park Rangers in the Sky Bet Championship fixture at The Hawthorns. The early advantage for QPR came courtesy of an own‑goal by Chris Mepham in the 38th minute, a mishap that occurred completely contrary to the flow of the game. That lead was short‑lived, however, as Styles struck just three minutes later to restore parity, extending the Baggies' unbeaten run at home to eleven matches while QPR remained unbeaten on the road this season.
Both sides enjoyed periods of dominance, with Albion creating a slightly higher volume of chances but the London side also generating a respectable number of opportunities. The line‑up featured former Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer and Conor Townsend, both making their first starts since rejoining the club, while defender Chris Mepham wore the captain's armband. The changes made for the encounter mirrored those of the previous game, with three of the five alterations matching the visitors' adjustments after Wednesday's 1‑0 victory at Derby County.
The match opened at a brisk tempo, with West Brom pressing early. A wayward attempt from Rabby Nzingoula glanced off Felix Horn Myhre and drifted wide of the far post. Shortly afterwards, Isaac Price delivered an inswinging corner that was punched clear by QPR goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who was positioned on the line. The hosts continued to probe, and in the 34th minute Aune Heggebo met a cross from Collyer with a powerful rising effort that appeared to strike the cross‑bar, only to be confirmed as a hit on the stanchion behind the goal.
Against the run of play, QPR took the lead when Kwame Poku released Rumarn Burrell, who sprinted clear, turned his marker and forced West Brom keeper Max O'Leary into a diving save. The rebound ricocheted off Mepham's head and rolled into the net, leaving the home side trailing. West Brom responded swiftly. In the 41st minute, Styles—deployed unusually as a right‑back—curled a low‑driven shot from just outside the penalty area into the far corner, marking his second goal of the season and leveling the score.
The equaliser came just before the half‑time whistle and shifted the momentum back in favour of the hosts. The second half began with Albion pressing for a lead.
Price's curling free‑kick was tipped away by Charles, while Jayson Molumby headed a Styles corner narrowly wide at the far post. QPR, however, remained a threat on the counter‑attack. Poku forced O'Leary into a spectacular flying save after breaking free inside the box and unleashing a shot from twelve yards. On the opposite flank, Mepham's powerful header from a Price corner forced Charles into a reflexive save.
Charles stayed alert throughout, later denying Styles from a close‑range free‑kick after the full‑back was fouled on the edge of the area. QPR continued to test the defence; Burrell's header from a Harvey Vale corner was smothered by O'Leary at the foot of the post. In the dying minutes, substitute Jimmy‑Jay Morgan rose above the defence to meet a Molumby cross, only to blast a header over the far post, missing a chance to snatch all three points for Albion. Post‑match, West Brom manager James Morrison praised Styles, saying, "I challenged Callum.
He can't just rest on being player of the season. He's got to go and show it again. He's been rewarded with a new contract and I didn't want him to pick the big contract up and not be at that level of performance.
I believe in Callum so much that I think I could play him anywhere and he would be just as good. I said to him 'come inside onto your left foot and shoot' and it was a great finish. He's used to playing in midfield so he could come inside or he could stay wide. When he was younger he played as a winger and he's played at wing‑back, so it was just about trying to get that balance right with Rabby Nzingoula.
I thought they dealt with it really well." QPR coach Julien Stephan reflected on his side's performance: "When you face a team with very good confidence and strong results it's really important to be strong in your foundation and our defensive organisation was brilliant. Usually we are better with the ball and are able to create more danger.
Today it was more difficult for us to create with the ball, even if we had the best chance of the second half with Kwame Poku. But it was a lovely move for our goal. I enjoyed it because it was part of our game plan after the ball was regained to be able to use the space behind their centre‑backs." The draw leaves both clubs with something to build on.
West Brom maintains their solid home record, while QPR keeps their unbeaten away streak intact. The result also underscores the importance of defensive solidity and the impact of set‑pieces in tightly contested Championship encounters.
As the season progresses, both sides will look to convert these hard‑earned points into momentum for the remaining fixtures.